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Flash Gordon DVD released: 2004 Approximate running time: 106 min. Aspect ratio: Anamorphic 2.35:1 Rating: PG Sound: ENGLISH and FRENCH: Dolby Digital 5.1 & 2.0 DVD Release: Studio Canal Region Coding: Region 2 PAL Retail Price: $29.95 Reviewed by: Troy Howarth on January 16, 2005 |
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| Quick links: [video] [audio] [extras] [overall] |
| The Film |
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A football player (Sam Jones)
becomes an unlikely superhero when he faces off against an evil tyrant
(Max Von Sydow) planning to destroy the Earth... Italian producer Dino De Laurentiis has seen the highs and lows of artistic and commercial success during his many years in the film industry. From home grown successes like Federico Fellini's Nights of Cabiria to over-inflated disasters like John Guillerman's King Kong, he's always done his best to deliver projects that combine the prestige factor with audience approval. In light of the success of Richard Donner's Superman (1978), he inevitably turned his eye towards making a super hero flick of his own. Having already mined the genre with Barbarella (1968) and Diabolik (1967), he at least had prior experience in the "comic book-to-screen" process. Designed as a big budget spectacular (of course), he enlisted an unlikely candidate for director in the form of Mike Hodges. The British director, best known for the Michael Caine vehicles Get Carter and Pulp, had recently been fired from Damien: Omen II and his career was at something of a stand-still. Initially fearful that his lack of familiarity with comic books, as well as with handling intricate special effects sequences, would prove to be a hindrance to the production, he ultimately signed on and delivered a slick, if terribly uneven, final product. Fans of the Flash Gordon comic strip - I must confess to not being an avid comics reader - will likely have their own take on the film's presentation of the characters and their relationships. However, as a stand-alone film, it has much to offer. In terms of physical execution, it looks simply gorgeous. The widescreen cinematography by Gilbert Taylor (Cul-De-Sac, The Omen) gives the film plenty of style, while Danilo Donati (a Fellini veteran who had recently designed the stunningly theatrical sets for Fellini Casanova, 1979) provides set designs that are literally out of this world. Indeed, the stylistic evocation of another planet gives one some sense of what a director like Fellini could have brought to such a project - not a very unlikely prospect, either, when one considers his life-long love of comic strips. The supporting cast is also absolutely first rate, with a number of distinguished actors entering admirably into the spirit of the thing without ever betraying any sense of being "above" the material. Max Von Sydow (The Exorcist, Sleepless) makes for a formidable Ming the Merciless - while he may seem strange casting for the role (one would assume Telly Savalas would have been the first choice), he brings a sense of dignity and believability to the role. Topol (Fiddler on the Roof, For Your Eyes Only) is likeably frisky and energetic as the rebellious Dr. Zarkov, while sexy Ornella Muti (Once Upon a Crime) smolders as Ming's treacherous daughter. Timothy Dalton (The Lion in Winter, The Living Daylights) also impresses as an initially disagreeable Prince who gradually warms up and becomes far more heroic. Peter Wyngarde (The Innocents, Burn Witch Burn), Philip Stone (A Clockwork Orange, The Shining) and Brian Blessed round out the supporting cast. Having discussed the film's many good points, now comes the time to discuss it's not so good points. Most crucially, the lead roles are played by actors who seem stiff and impersonal in comparison to the fine actors that support them. Sam Jones makes for a dashing and athletic Flash Gordon, but he has all the personality and charm of a department store mannequin. Melody Anderson, who was much better used in Gary Sherman's superb Dead and Buried (1981), isn't much better as Flash's spunky love interest, Dale. Jones and Anderson also have zero chemistry together, even if they're both photogenic, thus damaging the emotional core of the picture. Hodges directs the film with a good eye for composition and detail, but he's not very comfortable during the action scenes. The major fight scenes feel tired and drawn out. Some of the special effects work is more than a little dated, as well, and speaking of dated, there's the title song performed by the British rock group, Queen. Even the staunchest 80s-phile will have a hard time defending its cheesy inclusion in the film. While far from perfect, Flash Gordon is still more entertaining than many other films of its ilk and is bound to hold some interest for fans of the genre. Director Hodges may be a bit out of his depth helming a high tech SFX vehicle, but he hardly disgraces himself, and the supporting cast is just right. |
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| Video | 5/5 | |
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| Audio | 4.5/5 | |
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| A 5.1 English track is included among the various French mixes, and it's also very satisfying. Music and sound effects come through loud and clear, and dialogue is always distinct. One minor annoyance: Forced French subtitles when listening to the English tracks. |
| Extras | 4.5/5 | |
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Extras include an audio commentary, an optional on-camera intro to the film, and an a lengthy, career-spanning interview with the down-to-Earth Hodges. There's also a trailer for the film and the animated movie version, a still and production art gallery and (incomplete) filmographies for Hodges, Von Sydow, Ornella Muti and Timothy Dalton. The Hodges interview is clearly the best bonus, and he manages to convey a lot about his life and his up-and-down career in the space of a half-hour. |
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| Overall | 4/5 | |
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A fun, if uneven, comic
book adaptation gets a nice SE from Studio Canal. |
| Film Rating | DVD Rating | |||
| Directors: | Mike Hodges |
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| Writer: | Lorenzo Semple Jr. |
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| Released: | 1980 |
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| Cast: | Sam Jones, Melody Anderson, Max Von Sydow, Topol, Timothy Dalton, Ornella Muti, Brian Blessed, Peter Wyngarde, Philip Stone |
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Troy Howarth is the author of THE HAUNTED WORLD OF MARIO BAVA, a critical/analytical study of the cult filmmaker's directorial work. Interested parties are advised to check the FAB website at www.fabpress.com |
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